Weston Ranch’s Dylan Alexander is guarded by Kimball defender Alex Toledo as he attacks from the wing.

Photo by STU JOSSEY/

TRACY -- With a Valley Oak League title, and playoff positioning at stake, Weston Ranch didn’t miss on Tuesday. The Cougars dominated in every facet of the first half and cruising to a 73-43 win over Kimball High.

Weston Ranch (13-1 VOL, 19-8 overall) got production from every starter and points from eight different players as it pushed past Kimball to secure a portion of the VOL championship. The Cougars share the VOL crown with Sierra, which beat Lathrop on Tuesday.

The Cougars asserted themselves early, racing out to a 14-6 first quarter lead. They squad didn’t let up, continuing to suffocate the Jaguars on the defensive end and erupting offensively for a 30-point second quarter.

“It meant everything for us,” Weston Ranch’s Dylan Alexander said of the clinching win. “Every little loss affects your playoff seed, so we just tried to put ourselves in the best position that we could. Last time we played Kimball it was a one-point game, so coach was on us to keep that in mind and not take them lightly.

“It was their senior night, so we just had to be ready.”

Weston Ranch seized control early and never surrendered. Kimball found a moment of clarity late, but a Justin Lassiter spark eliminated any Kimball hopes of clawing back. Daiveon Leverett had 15 points in minimal action, leading Alexander (15 points) and Eric Duncan (11 points) for the big three. Lassiter and Sean Visperas’ eight points each were as valuable, if not more, than the productivity of the other starters.

“We’ve got eight seniors and one freshman, they know what’s at stake,” Weston Ranch head coach Chris Teevan said. “A seeding and a league championship; you don’t really have to motivate kids when that’s on the line. I feel we’ve been on the upswing since the Sierra game.”

Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III brackets will be unveiled around 5 p.m., revealing where the co-VOL champions will begin their trek towards a section title.